Local astronomers to answer questions about arrival of Comet ISON

Comet ISON

HubbleSite.org

This image of Comet ISON was made by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope on April 30, 2013, when the comet was about 400 million miles from Earth and about 363 million miles from the Sun between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter.

This image of Comet ISON was made by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope on April 30, 2013, when the comet was about 400 million miles from Earth and about 363 million miles from the Sun between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. (HubbleSite.org)

Astronomers have referred to the hunk of ice and rock hurtling through space as a possible "Comet of the Century" that might be visible with the naked eye, even in the daytime, come November. The comet is expected to pass close by the sun around Nov. 28, and if it survives the sun's heat in one piece, it could shine as brightly as the moon, with its trail in tow.

Scientists from STSCI, on the Johns Hopkins University campus, will answer questions about the likelihood that the comet puts on a show or ends up a dud, its size, origins, and its chances of affecting Earth.

4:41 p.m. update: The Maryland Department of the Environment has extended its "Code Orange" air quality alert through Thursday evening. Children, the elderly, people with asthma and other sensitive groups are urged to avoid strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

Historic flooding and the coldest temperatures in decades made weather headlines in Baltimore in 2014. Rainfall records were set in April and August, and after a frigid winter, the summer was comfortable and fall cool. The year is expected to be the coolest and wettest here in years.